Rental car shortages leave hundreds of travelers stranded. Here’s what we know

Jacqueline Pinedo
·3 min read
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Car rentals are in high demand after bad weather and canceled Southwest flights put a damper on holiday travel plans Monday.

For Cecelia Cunaneng it took all day to get back to Southern California’s, Orange County. She has to. She’s a nurse with a patient to see Wednesday.

Cunaneng, was visiting family in Sacramento for Christmas, and spent Tuesday in the rental car terminal at Sacramento International Airport, a last resort after a late night message Monday telling her that her flight was canceled.

Cunaneng’s story is just one of hundreds of Southwest Airline travelers whose flights were canceled Monday. As of Tuesday morning 71% of flights had been canceled throughout the U.S. according to Flight Aware, a flight tracking website.

If you’re finding yourself in a similar travel situation as Cunaneng you’re not alone. Here’s what we know about the high car rental demand at airports.

Demand for cars rentals is high

Holiday travel is always stressful, however when you factor in bad weather, canceled flights and stressed out travelers it can make the situation worse.

“We are seeing a surge in demand for car rentals across the country and in Sacramento due to severe weather impacts and widespread flight cancellations,” stated Hertz representative Stern Jonathan in an email to The Bee.

Throughout airports travelers are opting to rent a car to get to their destination. Demand is high and not all travelers are lucky enough to snag a pair of wheels to continue their journey.

“On Monday, our U.S. Contact Center experienced record call volume and we continue to see sustained demand for bookings, reservation modifications and one-way rentals. From our frontline operations teams to our social customer care agents, Hertz employees are diligently working to serve those whose travel plans have been disrupted to get them on the road as quickly as possible,” stated Jonathan.

One lucky travelers story

Cunaneng was determined to get back to Orange County for her patients. Her nephew Marku Cunaneng said it was a family mission to find her a way back home.

The next flight wouldn’t be until Jan. 1, said Marku.

“We had no idea it was going to be like this. She’s just trying to get home. She needed to fly to LA. She tried to get on Amtrak, Greyhound, every single way. No Greyhound. No Amtrak. There was nothing available. Just now she was able to get a car through Avis,” he said. It was nearly 3 p.m. “She tried every single way. This was the last resort.”

”As Cecelia and family waited, she just hoped for “anything that runs.” About 3 p.m., she got her wish. “We have your van,” the counter clerk said, holding a pair of keys.

Consider Cunaneng one of the lucky ones. Rental car staff were tight-lipped about supply but finding a car was a tough sleigh this day after the long holiday weekend. Airport officials were checking on the details, but chances were slim for customers looking for cars Tuesday afternoon.

Sacramento International also called in food trucks and has been providing free coffee to those trying to make it through a long Tuesday.

Car rentals at SMF

If you’re at Sacrament International Airport and looking to find a car rental below are the offered choices:

  • Alamo (800) 327.9633

  • Avis (916) 922.5601

  • Budget (800) 763.2999

  • Dollar Rent a Car (866) 434.2226

  • Enterprise (800) 736.8227

  • Hertz (800) 654.3131

  • National (800) 227.7366

  • Payless Car Rental (916) 441-4488

  • Thrifty (916) 285.0648

  • Zipcar (866) 494-7227

Keep in mind demand is high and not all rental companies may have cars available. The Bee called Alamo car rental, and was told through its automated waiting services that wait times to speak to representative would be longer than usual due to the winter storm.

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